Government thanks Japan’s support in Sustainable Forest Resource Management project

Forestry and Research Minister Dickson Mua on behalf of Solomon Islands Government and its people thanked the Japanese Government and its people for the generosity in support and collaboration towards formulating one of the best models, the Sustainable Forest Resource Management (SFRM) project. 

Minister Mua hands a gift of appreciation to one of the Japanese experts. Photo Supplied.

“This Project collaboration is necessary, although may be late, late than never is better still and therefore timely as we are looking for alternatives and change of mindset through capacity building to the sustainable use of our forest resources,” says the Minister. 

He adds we do understand that our forest resources are rapidly exploited and depleted at an unsustainable rate. 

“Through this collaboration, over five (5) years partnered implementation, we have identified areas of collaborations through capacity building, corporate planning review and monitoring, revision of Ministry working documents and plans. 

“We have also together executed agreements with two (2) communities to localise the perspectives of SFRM, potentially a mix breed of international renown principles of SFRM with local context capturing traditional use and acceptable practices guided by the policies of the government. 

“To this end, the Project had enlightened smallholder tree growers and resource owners through initial consultation meetings on the sustainable uses of their resources that will improve livelihoods in the rural settings of this country. 

SFRM project Advisor, Dr Nishikawa (left) and PS Forestry Dr Vigulu at the farewell function to formally thank the JICA SFRM project team.

“Thus, I can confirm that this project is already enhancing and building on the framework that has been developed and on the ongoing Policies of the current government, the DCGA,” further adds the Minister Mua. 

Honourable Mua added that since day one (1), consultation for the development of this SFRM Project, JICA had standby the Ministry to develop the Project concept, execute it, review, and evaluate it. 

With presentations presented on Stakeholders meeting, it is obvious that SFRM model and its three (3) proposed outputs planned, developed, and intended had been achieved, he says.

Kengo Hoshina, Deputy Representative and Project Formulation Advisor at the JICA Solomon Islands Office also shared similar sentiments expressing his sincere appreciation to all the participants of the project. “It has been extremely challenging past five (5) years. 

Yet the environment surrounding the SFRM Project had dramatically changed when WHO designated COVID-19 as a global pandemic on the 11th of March 2020. The project staff were no longer allowed to enter the pilot sites after 18th of March. 

Some of the SFRM project local staff and Japanese experts

“However, the Project managed to continue through a series of remote sessions and follow-ups,” says Hoshina. He added that Project meetings were organized to assess and amend the plan of operations as well as the project design matrix. 

With the pilot activities being monitored by Technical Support Committee members of the Ministry, project staff and also experts in Japan, remotely. 

This is a reflection of the commitment and efforts contributed by the project members, the ministry staff as well as the pilot site community members, he alluded. 

“As we prepare for the official closure of this project, once again, I would like to acknowledge this and thank you all for your tireless effort during this difficult time of covid-19.”

– MoFR Press